Coral Glades Grad Breathes New Life into Fort Lauderdale High’s Theater Department

by News Staff February 18, 2024

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Coral Glades Grad Breathes New Life into Fort Lauderdale High's Theater Department

Coral Glades grad Tatiana Ahlbum now heads up the theater department at Fort Lauderdale High School. {courtesy}

By Sharon Aron Baron

Fort Lauderdale High School is set to present “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” on February 22-24, marking the second theatre production at the school since 2019.

The revival of the theatre department is led by 2015 Coral Glades alumna Tatiana Ahlbum, who took over the program after the pandemic with a starting budget of only $100.

Over the past 18 months, Ahlbum has successfully rebuilt the program, increasing student participation in the Florida State Thespians and the South Florida Cappies.

Working alongside her is Tyler Carr Olson, also a Coral Glades alumnus and resident who volunteers his expertise in production design; album credits their passion for theatre education to their experiences at Coral Glades under the direction of Kristina Johnson Leljedal.

Despite Coral Glades not having a dedicated auditorium, Ahlbum and Olson were immersed in all aspects of theatre during high school, allowing them to apply their skills immediately after graduation.

They aim to provide Fort Lauderdale High students with similar opportunities and direction through theatre, mirroring their high school experiences.

Students at Fort Lauderdale High School are rehearsing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

A 2020 FSU graduate, Ahlbum was hired to teach social studies at Fort Lauderdale High School after holding a position in the state legislature. She transitioned to theatre education after former directors Kristyna Marchionne and Dan Katz passed the program to her.